WHITE PLAINS, NY — Winners of the Astorino Challenge in Education (ACE) rewarded with a free pass to Playland. Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino is offering students a second chance to claim the Astorino Challenge in Education prize – a free pass to Playland.
Last fall, the Westchester County Youth Bureau, which runs the ACE program, contacted public and private schools around the county to tell them how their students could register. On July 3, Astorino announced the winners for the 2013-2014 school year – all of whom either had perfect attendance or achieved a final average of at least A, 95, or 3.8.
Following the ceremony at Playland, a number of students and parents contacted the county to say their school had not notified them of the challenge.
“Outstanding school work deserves to be recognized,” said Astorino. “To make sure that happens, we are giving students a second chance to qualify for ACE awards.”
The issue with notification was first raised publicly by Diane Barnes, a New Rochelle parent.
Talk of the Sound investigated the matter and brought it to the attention of the County Executive and the New Rochelle Schools Superintendent.
To receive the free pass to Playland, students must send in a copy of their report card by August 15, showing proof of their perfect attendance and/or 3.8 G.P.A., 95% or A average. Students can email copies of their report cards to: ace@westchestergov.com or mail them to: ACE Challenge, Westchester County Youth Bureau, 112 Post Road, 3rd Floor, White Plains, New York 10601. Once proof is confirmed, students will be able to go pick up their pass at Playland, which will be good for the remainder of the 2014 season.
School districts are also being encouraged to notify any of their students whom they believe qualify for ACE awards.
Brian Osborne, the new schools superintendent for New Rochelle, said his district would be reaching out to the 160 students who had qualified for prizes by grades or attendance.
“The ACE awards are a great incentive for students,” said Osborne. “I want to thank County Executive Astorino and the Youth Bureau for making this extra effort to reach and reward all the winning students.”
Thank you to Robert Cox & Talk of the Sound!
Hi, I’m Diane Barnes, the parent that started this over the Playland season passes. I may have made mention of it and sent the letter to both the press & to the County Exec’s office, but it was Robert Cox and the Talk of the Sound that took almost a month of his inquires to get to the bottom of this as to what happened and who dropped the ball, not just as a journalist, but also as a parent with a child who should have also received the Playland passes also.
Kudos to all the kids & their parents who are eligible for this because they achieved their goals before they knew about a Playland Pass, that’s what I instill in my son to know that he can do if for himself, not for anything or anyone else.
Had I not spoke up & Talk of the Sound not taken the time to look into this, it may have continued on past the 2yrs we all missed out on already.
Thanks & Much Appreciated!
Diana & Ryan Barnes
http://www.GoFundMe.com/RyanTheScientist